Improvement in electro-magnetic machines for medical purposes



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LUS DRESCHER, 0F NEW YORK 'N'4 Y.

Letters Patent No. 99,414, dated February 1, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT VIIN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC MACHINES POR MEDICAL PURPOSES.

The Schedule referred to ,inthese Letters Patent a/nd making part. of the same.

I, LUIS DRESCHER, of the city, county, and State of New tork, have invented certain neur and useful Improvements in lllectro-Magnetic Machines for medical and other purposes, ot' which the t'ollowing isa specitieatiom rlhe first part of my invention relates to the suspension ofthe plat-es of a galvanic battery, by means of a hinge-jointed rod, sliding vertically through a suitable collar in the covering-plate or ross-bar ofthe battery, and provided with a scale thereon graduated to iudicate the extent oi' the immersion of the plates when let down into the battery solution, the object of`this part of my invention being to prevent, with certainty, an accidental immersion of the plates when the battery is not 4in use, and to ascertain also by a simple inspection o t' the rod the amouutot' battery-power obtained when the battery is in. use, as determined by the depth to which the plates are immersed.

f The secoudpart ol' my invention relates to the combination of a movable pl'zi'tlnzt'-plate with' tliat part of the vibrating armature-lever or spring of an electromagnet, which plays against the adj listing-screw connecting it with the battery-, the object ot' this part of my invention 'heilig to provide, by a. movement ofthe plate, for the ready preservation oi' a fresh 'metallic surface at the point of contact, as soon as said point Y shall have becomel oxidized in use.

The third part ot' my invention relatesto the interposition ot' a reotrope or commutator, between the electro-'magnetic machine and the electrodes, to be applied to the person ota patient, whereby l am enabled to change and reverse instantly the conrseof the primary and secondary currents from the machine without altering the comlucting-wires, the reqtropc heilig arranged for the purpose upon the baseplate ofthe machine. rlhe fourth part of my invention relates to the combination ot' a reotrope or switch-levers directly with onelot' the electrodes of the apparatus, which I denominate a universal electrode, so as to be operated by the operators finger whilst he is using the instrunient, the object of thispart of my invention being to enable the person using the apparatus either to interrupt or to reverse atwill and with rapidity, if desired; the currents'tifom the machine, and obtain an alternate inversion ofthe polarity ofthe electrodes by a simple pressure upon a knob on the handle of'the improved electrode, even whilst botlrhands are engaged.

Fignn'e l, in the accon'ipauyiug drawings, is a view i-u perspective ot my improved galvanic battery and electro-magnetic machine, and ot' the improved re'otrope and electrode connected therewith, illustrating the arrangement and mode of connections of my apparatuS complete..

natural laws.

Figure 2 is a side elevation oi' my electro-magnet, with its base-plate in section.

Figure-4' is a Ytransverse section of my universal electrode, in the line drawn at x x iu lig. l..

liigin'e 3 is a longitudinal central section thereof' iu the. line y y ot'lig. 7.

Figures 4 tu 6, inclusive, are longitudinal sections in thc line drawn at :r oi' lig. '7, illustrating each a diferent positionof the switch-levers or currentchangers therein. j

'Figures and i) are lmrizontal sections el' a reotropc or currcut-changer ou the base-plate ot the electr-i magnet of the apparatus, taken in a line drawn atw w, lig. 1.

A represents au ordinarygalvanie battery..

B, a jointed hinged rod, to the lower endet' which I fasten, by means of ascrew or otherwise, the positive plate C alone, or both' the positive and negative This rod A slides freely through n collar in the capplate l), coveriug'; `the battery, uml by its means the plates connected therewith may be lil'ted' up out Vol'thc solutions of tlie'battery.

'lhc hinged joint b ofthe rod lustrated in the drawings, that when the plates are lifted 'ont ot' the solutions in the battery, the upper vjoint may be folded over at about a right angle, (see tig. 1,) to secure it and prevent it li'oin dropping back, as is frequently the case where au nuhiuged rod is' used. The joint iu the rod overcomes also the im-onvenienee attendant upon the upright projection o1' a-rigid rod, which necessitates the use el' a lunch .larger case or box to enclose if, and makcst-he battery top-heavy.

A properly-griduatcd scale is placed or marked upon the rod A, to indicate accurately the depth oi' innmrsion of'thc battery-plates, according to well-knowi-i The relative strength and quantity' ol' the galvanic battery maybe determined by the simple inspection of the scale.

E E' is\an electro-magnet, arranged upon a suitable base-plate, I, and

F'is a vibrating arnmturc-spriug or lev'cr, carrying' a suitable armature, l1".

lo the outer l'acc of this vibrating spring or lever I and near its lowcr extremity, l pivot a circular platina plate, f, -fig. 2, so thatt may he revolved upon said pivot as its axis.

G is an adj nstableconnecting-screw, working through a plate, g, secured to the edge ol' the bed-plate or base I ofthe magnet, and whose point strikes against the circular plate j, at or near the outer edge thereof'. By this arrangement, when the electric sparks shall have oxidized the point-olcontact between the end'ol' the screw and the circular platina plate f, so as to cause is so arranged, as ilthe vibrations, and also the shocks, -to' become irreg'l'ujg- .lar, a slight turuof the platina plate f will cause a new point of contact to be presented to the screw G, andthe vibrations and shocks will again become regu-A lar.

'll is an adjustable elastic fork, piroted at one end l (so as to play in a vertical plane) by means ot a pivot screw, h, to a pillar' or' support, K,- seciucdupon the base-plate I of'the magnet, on one side*ot' its armar4 tnre-lever or. spring F, as .illustmted i n ti". 1.l The hice end' ot' the'lbrk embraces the iever F between its' prongs, asshown in the drawings, so as to liinit the extent ot' its vibrations.

Y is a stiff metal bar, pi-voted at'onec'ntl tothe screw 1 ofthe fork H to vtlicpilhu' K ,on thc-side thereof, oppo'site'tothc fork H; 'so 'as to project' paral` lclthcrewitln and move in common {witlr it ou their pivot L' as a. centre. l

At the extremity of this stiff bar Y, a'sct-scr'e'w M, is placed to work against the elastic fork, and regulate its. position laterally, with reference to the'vbrating armature-spring or lever F.

\Vhen the fork is depressed, so thatits prongs embrace the l'wer cud ot the art'iiaturedevcr F, near the platina plate f, the`uppcr end o't'the lever can vibrate l'reely, hut when the fork is raised, its prongs will, in pi-i portion to the extent ot' `its elevation, limit the space for the vibrations, audconsequently increase their rapidity. lhe extent ot' the vibrations will, theret'ore, be most limited, 4and the rapidity the greatest, when the prongs are directly underneath the armature li", and be greatest in extentaml less rapid when they are driqipedtothc hascrplate l. This control of the vibrations ot' the lever Fis ot' great importance in the therapeutics and the diagnosis ot' diseases Lis a ruoli-ope orcurient-changer, made cfa simple plateot' any non-emulncting'materiah pivotcd upon the hase-plate I ot fliceloctro-magnct by means ot' a centrarpivotscrew,-j. =1t is provided withan index-, point at one cud, `as illustrated in tlie i lr. i\ vings, tigs. l, 5, and .l. lts movement upon itspivotj is'limited by means ot'. two stops or pins i 1'-, upon the has'eplate" l, asshown in ligs. b. audit. A y I Y L L are two biriding-posts` secured upon the reo# centiallyupon the plato at each end thereof, at -points equally distant ti'om its centre. 'lhcsc posts hold thc wircs cxtcmling to the electrodes ol' the apparatus. '.lheir lower ends extend through the plate J, so as t`o project `very slightly l'rom its under sui-lace, forming points to'conu': into coi|tact \\'lien necessary with eur# rent-connecting points or pins in the hase-plate bc ucathif J v 'lwo additional projecting metallic points, united by au insulatcdwirc, in, arc secured upon theundcr Vsurl'ace of the reotrope-plale`J, the one being placed upon one side ofthe end ol' the post L, and Ythe other at a corresponding distance from thc end ofthe other post L', but on thc opposite-.side thc1'c0l',"as illustrated hy the double dotted lilies in figs. 8 and 9'. or "n" and p p' arc tour-insulated metallic pins orx points i'usiertediiuto and through the b;' \`se- 1')l ate 1, lmg mediately under the reotrope-] late J, andnpo'n*"cac'hj side ot' the ends lof its binding-posts L L'.'...'1`liese points are so lixcd as that when the rcotropc-plate J is n parallel to the edge ot' the base-plate I,t wovot` them, -u-p, are at equal distances from the end ot'jhe bindiligqiost L, at one end thcrcot', and the other two,- n' 1)', at like equal distances i'om thebinding-post L', at the other end, as illustmtedin lig. 8 of the drawings. 'lhe two points n n'are connected respectively with the armature-spring l und adjusting screw G, and the other two, p p', with the outer and inner coils of the magnet.

'lh'e correlation ol` all these connecting-points is such, that sl-ien tli'c rcotrope lis parallel `with the edge of the hase l, as illustrated in'g. 8, the lower cud of the binding-pests L L' projecting through it, will be'. free from contact with any points, so that the wires leading thence 'to the 'electrodes will b'ecut oil from any connection with the Amagnet-instrument E E. At the same time, the two points connected by the wire mxwill rest free from contact wit-h 'other points, andthe instrument-will b at' rest. r

By turning the reotrope J to the left, so that its iudex sha-ll point tothe numeral I", marl'ted upon the b'ase I, as shown intig. 9, the projecting end of the binding-posts .L L' will be brought, iutcoutact, the one, L', connected with one f the electrodes, with the point p', connected with' the .tllustiug andicouieei-iugscrcw'G" offythe'mstruuicnt'g'mlc other; 'L,' connected with the secondA electrode3vitlithe point n', connected 'to the armature-lever or' springEsu-that the circuit ot the primary currents obtained from the. battery A -and primarycoil E, muy be closed -through-these electrodes O X, 'whilst the connected points 'm will be brought into contact respectively with the magnet'- pointsnL 11', thus closing the circuit for thensecondary currents passing through the sliding coil E' of the magnet. By turning the rcotrope-plat'e J ln thecontrary direction, so that its index s hall poiut`to the numeral 11, upon the base-plate. I, the ends of the binding-posts L L', holding the elcctrode'wires, are brought iut-o contact, respectively, with the `magnet-pointsupf, thus establishing a direct circuit for the-secondary current connecting-points is broken. l

AIt will now be ulnlcrstood-how, by moving the index- `of the reotrope J to I" or Il", ligs. 1, 8,-,and 9, the pri-A mar) currents can be instalitaueouslychangedv with the secondary currents, or vice rcrsa, without altering the comluct-ingfwires.

From theiii'ct that the intensity of the prilnary cur' rents is diminishcd'uhen the wire coil E', with closed' circuit, is moved crei.' the primarycoiot' the electromagnet 1'), we are enabled to regulate directly the primary cur1'en ts,hy moving the coil' E' inward or out'- \va rd, '(see dotted lilies, lig;1,) when the circuit is closed by the wire -m aml its conucetiug-points,as illustrated .in tig. il, and hence greater convenience and precision in the appliea'tion'ot' the electric currents is, obtained. with this apparatus, than can he vreached by any other now n1 use. i*

.v universal electrode. It is constructed as follows:

case, O, which shell or caseconstitutes a handle for the instrument.-

'Lpou this plate Q,'two Ametallic strips,1 P', '5, and 6, are secured by.screws, so aslto lie parallel to cach other u'ithoutpont'ziot; -Their outer ends pro- .ject beyond the plate and its case. Upon their inner ends are pivoted the inner ends of two metallic switch-.ba1s,.R M ',iuv snch'a manner as that the'foutei'.rendsiof-said bars'shall -lvc-fi-eeto-vilnate upon .'s'aiil vpivots in a platre. parallel Awith the face of the board Q'. l i `Tbesepirotcdgswitclnhm's R R', are coupled, near their outerends, by`a pivoted link, S, made ot' au in- .sulatl ig substance, and a 'spi-ingr, is secured upon one edge ot' tlie plalf"Qmsillustmtedin tig. 4, to'hear against tle har 1t, and tbr'cetle two laterally against the opposite side. ot' the case enclosing them. A small knob, U, is secured to the bar 1t', so as 'to l project therefrom outside of the casing O, and a slid-- ing catch, s, is placed on'the exterior ot' said casing, tol

engage a projection or oll'sct-, ru, upon the knh, and contine the same when it has been pushed pz jtly inthrough the electrodes, whilst th'e contact -of all other 0 is au improved electrode, which I denominate the A plate, Q, of wood, or other insulating-tnateriahis` formed and ,arranged to pass Vinto :monter shell or ward, overcoming the pressure of the spring r, and

` beating down the pivoted hars R R' to a. right posiprojecting from the front ,end of `t'hecleetrodetsee' tigs..4, 5, and 6,) and the central pin t' is connected to a rod, \V, extending back uuder'th'e plate Q to the rear cnd`of the electrode, (see iig. 3,) from which it projects, to receive a wire, connecting it with ase'cond ordinary electrode X, tig.'1.

The outer ends of the-strips P P' lproject also reary wardly from the cud of the electrode O, 'andare connected hywires with the binding-posts L L', on the reotropeJ `of the apparatus.

By the action of theoperato1"s linger onthe knob U of the, universal electrode, the switchbars R it' can be moved into three different positions, viz:

First, so that their free ends shall touch 'and comeinto metallic contact with the two pins t l', respective 1y, as illustrated in tig. 4. The bars are thrown in to this position'hy the action thereon ofthe spring r, when released by the disengagement ot' the catch s from the knob U.- When the bars are thus placed,

the electric current entering along the metallic strips p' from the electro-magnet instrument, follows the metallic conductor through the bar 1t' to the point t,and

thence to the rod T, whence, if the two electrodes. O

and X, be both applied to tlie human body, it uill'pass through to the second electrode X, ambre-entering the universalelectrode at thc. cud ofthe rod \\f,.by rucans of the wire extending thereto, will pass through the same hy the point t', the bar lt and strip Rand continue'lmck by its .connecting-wire, to the electrornagnet, thus completing its circuit. '-e'havc thereihre, inthis Iirst position of the switch-bars 1t1l',-fig. the positive pole (+)ot' thc apparatus, vat thc rod l of" the nniversai electrode, and its negative'lmlc at the end 'ot' the second electrode X.

ln the second position of .the switch-bars', they are forced by the pressure oi' the operator's finger on the knob U, across the plate until their ends rest respectively on thc points t t", as illustrated in fig. 5. When they are in this position, the direction ofthe cunents through the electrode is reversed. .The current enteringtas before, through the strip l" and har It', is conducted to the rod W, and lcd to the elcctrode X, from 'u rence it passes through the body in a reverse directi n to the rod 'l of the universal electrode, and thence back through the bar'aud strips 1t I to and X ast-he positive (i-) pole of the' apparatus! yThe third position of 'the switch-bars is that illus'- tratedby fig. 6 of the-drawings, in which their ends,

being insulated, by resting upon the blank spaces be tween tlle,eouncctingpoints t and t tand t",`break all contact with the connections thereti'omto the poles of the electrodes, and hence discontinue or'break the circuit through them. In this position the bars may be secured by means of the sliding catch s, ashereiubefore described.

L he conducting wires or cords 'extending from the.

I prefer to make the enclosing shell or case of the electrode O cylindrical, as illustrated in tiff. 1,to serve as a handle to 'theopemtor, although it may be of any other convenient form or sha-pe.

The functions 'of the universal electrode O will now be-obvious, namely: Simple interruption of the 'tion, (s ee figs. 6 and 4 or Gand 5,) and. alternate iuversion of the polarity of the electrodes, (see figs. 4 `and 5,) and the fact that these alternate interrupt-ions and inversions ca u be performed by the operator ai:l will, with variable rapidity and exact precision-, eren operating, determines at once the great value and ad- 'vantage of my improvement in its application to elec/- tro-therapeutics.

.1 claim, as my in\ent iou-, 1. lhe hinge-jointed rod B,"provided with a graduatcd scale thereon, and comhinedwith the plate C or plates C'C' of a galvauie battery, and with a supportiug-bar orplate Dabove the. same, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth;

2. The combination ot' a movable platina plate on the varmatnrc-slln'ing or lever of an electro-magnetic machine, with the adjusting andcouneeting-screw of tially in the manuel' herein setforth.' g

3.- '.lhecombiuatiou f a movalle, adjustable insulated -fork H, with the armature-springer lever of an electro-magnetic machine, substantially as and for the purpose herein set fort-h. l

' 4. The combination of a reotropc, J, withthe-eircuit Iwires and electrodes of an electro-magnetic machine, when said reotrope yis arranged and nuuletowperate substantially as herein described.

-The combination, with an electrode T, of metallie conducting-strips. 1 1, switch-.bars It 1 insulated points t'zfv t", and red W, all4 ammged,'conneeted, and .Juade to operate substantially as and for the purpose .hc-rein set forth. .lhe foregoing specification of my improvements in GEORG n Gan'rrrrse reot-rope Ato the electrodes are insulated, and then pusse'fll-Joinftlythrouglr al singlefludia tuhbcr tn bc, tov

current, (see iig. 6,) alternate. interruption and connectwheu'both hands are engaged, through asimple pressure of his finger upon the knob of the'instrment while the battery circuit operating therewith, all substau- Y electro-magneticmachines signed 'by me, this 20th 

